 |
|
|
|
I
believe that everyone can benefit from the hiking experience, at any
age and at any level of ability. Physically, hiking--defined as
"walking through nature"-- allows you to burn from 350 to 450 calories
per hour, helps tone, flex and firm the body,  and
is a great cross-training strategy and alternative to the confines of a
gym or health club.
Psychologically,
hiking helps reduce stress, getting us away from noise, air and visual
pollution, away from the sources of stressful workplaces and
demanding/non-supportive people. It offers us a time and place to
relax, clear our troubled and over-active minds and calm our anxious
emotions. Hiking connects us to our real, best and deeper selves, puts
life in perspective and is an excellent medium for clear thinking and
problem solving. Aesthetically hiking offers us the healing deep
vibrant colors of nature found in a multitude of varied and beautiful
scenic settings and seasons. We are treated to the soothing work of
"nature's divine artist"...beauty surrounding us every step of the
journey.
Hiking with another human being encourages us to
personally connect to and discover each other as fellow travelers on
the earth, in this life, as we dialogue freely and easily in a
non-competitive, non-confronting unconditional manner...nature has no
hidden agenda. Thus we can build a "hiking community" of kindred
spirits sharing the same joys of wilderness. Spiritually, hiking can
take us on the journey inwards where we discover our inner strengths
and calm centers. Nature witnesses to the benevolent presence of its
Creator, a presence with whom we can freely enter into relationship. In
nature, the God of our own unique life experience is found in every
mountain, verdant forest, far-reaching prairie, magnificent seascape
and singularly beautiful flower, cloud and tree. Hiking tells us that
indeed we are united to the whole of life, plant and animal. This
"prayer-in-motion", a hike, at best offers us a space and time to
discover and connect to what really matters!
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
